Breaking News: Settlement for Students & "Highly Skilled"

Just saw this on the Guardian's website...

"LATEST: Theresa May will end permanent settlement rights for over 100,000 migrants who come as skilled workers or students. More details soon ..."

Yikes.

Just saw this on the Guardian's website...

"LATEST: Theresa May will end permanent settlement rights for over 100,000 migrants who come as skilled workers or students. More details soon ..."

Yikes.

Students haven't been able to apply for settlement -- ever I believe. This isn't news, it's been the governments plan for some time. Sorry to burst your bubble.

If you'd kindly share the link please as I've scoured the Guardian's website and cannot find the article you're alluding to.

However here is the latest from the Home Office website...again this is not new and has been in the works for a very long time.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/immigration-first

It's on the banner on the top of the page.  No story link yet.

Though I presume it relates to the link you posted.
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Students haven't been able to apply for settlement -- ever I believe. This isn't news, it's been the governments plan for some time. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Yet many immigrants do see entering as a student as a normal route to getting a UK passport. That route will be closed to all but the most exceptional students. In the past, visas have been issued to those who don't have much skills in anything.


Here are some quotes and the BBC link

"We can reduce net migration without damaging our economy. We can increase the number of high value migrants: the entrepreneurs, the investors, the research scientists - at the same time as we reduce the total number of people coming to Britain through the economic routes."

AND

Mrs May underlined the prime minister's surprise announcement this week that intra-company transfers would be exempted from the cap and went further, saying the limit should change annually in response to changing economic and social conditions.

Businesses had told her that they wanted the government to prioritise Tier 2 applicants, skilled workers with a job offer, over Tier 1, highly skilled workers without a job offer.

"Operating effectively, Tier 1 should only be used by investors, entrepreneurs and people of exceptional talent; in short, the genuinely highly skilled.

"Our research shows that many people entering the UK through the Tier 1 or Tier 2 routes are earning low salaries, are not highly qualified or are not highly skilled.

"So we will need to look at taking action to raise the minimum skill levels in Tier 2 and ensuring those coming to do skilled work will be undertaking a suitable job with a sponsoring employer."

AND
 
Students and their families accounted for two-thirds of the visas issued to non-EU migrants under the points-based system last year.
Some areas of the education sector were of particular concern:
•   The standard of courses
•   Entry criteria and English language requirements
•   Ensuring that students return overseas after their course
•   The right to work for students and their dependants.

AND

"Working in Britain for a short period should not give someone the right to settle in Britain. Studying a course in Britain should not give someone the right to settle in Britain.

"Settling in Britain should be a cherished right, not an automatic add-on to a temporary way in."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11700950

Peter some of the points you highlight (regarding work visas) were covered in an Advisory published in August:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=64674

I have yet to see any material regarding the statement that you made regarding students:

Yet many immigrants do see entering as a student as a normal route to getting a UK passport. That route will be closed to all but the most exceptional students. In the past, visas have been issued to those who don't have much skills in anything.

Which is why they're students! They're here to learn and build skills.

Students have not been able to settle in the UK (apply for ILR based as a student). Yes, they can (and some of them do) switch into other categories (family or work) that can lead to settlement but they cannot acheive settlement purely as a student.

However here is the latest from the Home Office website...again this is not new and has been in the works for a very long time.

I wanted to point out that Weby's analysis is: spot. on. the. money.   

Aside from the news flash I posted in another thread, the amount of "new 'news'" is nada.  zippo. null, not present.  etc etc.

Nice one Debbie.   

The only story I could find on the Guardian did include this:

"She also confirmed that Labour's plans for a system of "earned citizenship" to provide a route to a British passport were being dropped by the coalition."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/05/theresa-may-immigration-crackdown

Here is Theresa May's acutal speech given where these articles are derived from. Remember, if you want the facts and the real facts in any case go straight to the Horses Mouth.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/speeches/immigration-speech

Yes, they can (and some of them do) switch into other categories (family or work) that can lead to settlement

The bit in bold is the route they hope to close, to all but the very top students.

Here is Theresa May's acutal speech given where these articles are derived from. Remember, if you want the facts and the real facts in any case go straight to the Horses Mouth.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/speeches/immigration-speech

You can hear some of her speech on the link I gave above (in the 4th post in this thread).

Here is Theresa May's acutal speech given where these articles are derived from. Remember, if you want the facts and the real facts in any case go straight to the Horses Mouth.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/speeches/immigration-speech

We have the facts about May's speech, but we don't yet have the facts about how the process is going to work. Precisely how are they going to determine who are 'the brightest and the best'? My partner came here to study English in a 'course below degree level'. She subsequently earned her PhD, and then a post-doctoral Leverhulme Fellowship. Who, looking at her original visa application, could have predicted that? Also disappointing for me is May's constant emphasis on business ('high-value investors and entrepreneurs'). Think she's going to let in any artists?

WebyJ,

You know I have read the speech 3 times and there is no mention of earned citizenship....wonder where the Guardian came up with that....

WebyJ,

You know I have read the speech 3 times and there is no mention of earned citizenship....wonder where the Guardian came up with that....

"We will not implement the last government’s policy of earned citizenship, which was too complicated, bureaucratic and, in the end, ineffective."

Students have not been able to settle in the UK (apply for ILR based as a student).

Those that have been a student for 10 years, can.

But that's based on long legal residency and covers any legal status; I believe that rule is also part of EU law.